Here we go!

Cheers and jeers are this afternoon
expected to echo through the country’s stadiums as the 2019 TNM Super League
roars into action with 16 clubs ready to prove their mettle.

While each of the elite league outfits has the capability to take the ultimate glory, giants and rookies confessed yesterday that they have different missions in the campaign; winning the title and surviving the chop, respectively.

the necessary arsenal to battle for the crown
while eyes of newly promoted outfits Ntopwa FC, Mlatho Mponela and Chitipa
United are fixed on surviving relegation.

Nevertheless,
as the 22nd edition gets underway with TN Stars hosting champions Bullets at
Kasungu Stadium to mark the league’s relaunch under the theme Pokopoko, what is
certain is that all the 16 teams are ready to rumble.

Bullets
captain John Lanjesi said after snatching the league title from rivals
Wanderers last season, they are determined to safeguard the trophy, which was
their only silverware in 2018.

“Much as we
would like to win more trophies this season, our priority is to defend the
league title. We know all the other teams would love to snatch title from us,
but we are mentally and physically ready to reclaim it,” he said.

The People’s
Team has beefed up their squad with about five new faces in Gomezgani Chirwa
(Civil Sporting Club), Precious Sambani (Namiwawa FC), Ben Manyozo (Dwangwa
United) Luke Chima (Mighty Tigers) and Peter Banda (Griffin Young Stars).

They have
also promoted from their Reserve side striker Hassan Kajoke and midfielder
Chimwemwe Idana, defender Charles Petro and goalkeeper Elias Missi.

Wanderers
team manager Stevie Madeira, whose side takes on Mzuni today at Kamuzu Stadium
in Blantyre, said they have left no stone unturned to win the league .

“It was very
disappointing not to defend the title last season, but we are geared to win it
this time around,” he said.

Wanderers
have lost the as Joseph Kamwendo, Yamikani Chester, Esau Kanyenda and Sambani,
but Madeira believes they have found suitable replacements in the likes of
Babatunde Adepoju, Francis Mkonda, Vincent Nyangulu (Masters Security FC),
Peter Katsonga, Hankie Machira (Tigers) and Richard Rabson (Hangover FC). They
have also promoted promising talent from their reserve side, including Chikondi
Kamanga and rising star Fransisco Madinga.services of some key players such

“We are satisfied with how preparations have gone. We have
assembled a good team and with motivation and good selection, we should win the
league and at least two cups. Bring it on!” said Madeira.

Silver team manager Hellings Mwakasungula, whose side takes on
hosts Karonga this afternoon, said their eyes are set on winning the title
after settling for the third position for the third season in a row.

Although the Central Bankers have enhanced their squad with
players such as Ernest Tambe (Wanderers), Shamama Shariff (Karonga) and Frank
Sanudi (Mangochi), Mwakasungula said they would not dwell much on individual
capabilities but team performance.

“This is a marathon and what matters most is to start
positively. That is what we have planned to do,” he said.

On their part, Ntopwa coach Leo Mpulula, Mlatho Mponela
assistant coach Dickson Bwanali and his Chitipa counterpart Robert Kaparasanga
Mziza said their main target is to avoid relegation.

“Our vision is to remain in the league at the end of the
season. We got a top-flight league slot by default after being given a chance by
Bullets Reserve, whom we tied with on points but were superior on aggregate.
Therefore, we need to prove that we deserved a Super League slot,” said
Mpulula, whose team has beefed up the squad with Dave Banda and Richard
Chimbamba from Bullets on loan.

Bwanali had this to say: “As newcomers, we need positive
results in our first games to build our confidence to avoid relegation.”

While Mziza said: “We learnt a lot after being relegated two
years ago and we now know what to expect. So, realistically, we have to aim at
staying put,” he said.